We spent the weekend in San Francisco doing all of the nostalgic holiday activities that hold a sentimental place in my heart from my childhood and my time living in the city. It’s a weekend holiday tradition I hope we can continue every year because it truly put me in the spirit this year, and it was the most special family time. We actually still have yet to get our Christmas tree or put up our Christmas lights (eeks, I’m feeling behind!)… but this past weekend it felt so special to just be present with Rex and Willow and soak up their joy and spirit of the holidays. From the tree in Union Square, shopping on Maiden Lane (The Real Real store is a must!), trolley rides, decorating gingerbread cookies, a visit to the giant gingerbread house at the Fairmont Hotel and staying at the classic Palace Hotel. It was the best!
I just LOVE the Palace. We’ve stayed there a number of times over the years and it always feels special, but there was something extra magical about this visit. The Garden Court was gorgeously decorated for Christmas and I think just seeing the hotel through Rex and Willow’s awe-inspiring eyes was what made it feel so magical this time. They’ve been before but since it had been some time and they’re at the perfect ages where everything is so magical to them… it made for one of those perfect weekend getaways. Rex wrote letters to Santa to put in their Santa Mailbox. We ate breakfast at the Garden Court which I always love to do when staying at the Palace (or tea in the Garden Court!) and ate at the Pied Piper on Saturday night. I’ve always loved that bar and the history / dark wooden vibe of it. It was fun to get dressed up a bit and R & W were fairly-well behaved, I guess as best as toddlers go so it was an all around success… (I’m still thinking about the brussel sprouts). And we ordered takeout Sunday evening while watching Christmas movies all snuggled up in our pjs.
SF Weekend Packing |
This visit made me miss SF so much, and I already can’t wait to be back. I want to plan another visit with Rex and Willow during their Christmas breaks. It had actually been a few months since I’d gone into the city and it felt so good to be back in my old stomping grounds. I also took them past my old apartment, we got my Blue Barn salad fix and my Tartine Manufactory fix as well one morning. R & W popped around with me while Tanner worked on Monday, and it made me so happy / sentimentally-teary too to have one kid in each hand walking down Fillmore Street. Just so thankful and one of those moments that made me appreciate all of the life chapters I’ve spent in San Francisco.
